The Oscars Cont.

I was asked why I hadn’t posted a wrap-up for the Oscars and my answer was…cuz I’m annoyed!

I don’t want to sound negative. I truly respect the Coen brothers and have since “Raising Arizona.” Their offbeat view of life and dark sense of humor speaks to my soul. And I think its because I hold them up on a pedestal that I am so disappointed with No Country for Old Men. They let me down with this film.

The Academy is known for overlooking people and understandably regretting it down the road. They are also known for recognizing an artist’s body of work. Thats obviously what happened here. They wanted the Coen brothers to get the recognition they deserve but it shouldn’t have been this film. Now, in a few years, PT Anderson is going to win for a film that won’t be his best. But, that will be the Academy’s way of making it up to him. Its an annoying cycle.

I did enjoy the telecast overall. Jon Stewart was entertaining as usual. I had heard there were a ton of montages cut prior to the end of the strike since there might not have been any writing allowed. I’m really glad they kept them. I loved seeing all the old footage. Hollywood history is something that excites me. Which is why I loved this blog post of all the best picture posters. Aren’t they gorgeous?! I would love to have a room covered in them one day.

80th Annual Academy Awards

My prayers were answered…the writers strike ended before the Oscars! The time has come for the cream of the crop in Hollywood to dress up, strut down the red carpet and announce this years best productions and performances. And for me and my struggling artist friends to dress comfy, eat chips and guacamole and announce why we agree/don’t agree with this years best productions and performances.

“No Country for Old Men” and “There Will Be Blood” seem to be neck and neck for best picture. The films have enough similarities, though, that could split votes and allow one of the other nominees to slip through and win. “Atonement” is a well constructed film and “Juno” is an audience favorite with the highest box office earnings of the nominees. “Michael Clayton” is the final nominee but I don’t see it having much of a chance.

In my opinion, “Atonement” should hands down win best cinematography. Did you see that long ass scene on the beach? That blew me away. I can’t even imagine what went into making that scene alone. And for that scene alone it deserves an award…but not best picture. “Juno” is a very witty, entertaining movie with great performances all around. But, not a best picture. I would love to see it win best original screenplay. The writing is brilliant.

Both “No Country for Old Men” and “There Will Be Blood” are great films. They both have compelling stories and enthralling performances but only one of them has an ending that doesn’t make you want to go running through the streets yelling “why, why, WHY?”! I was sucked into about two-thirds of “No Country for Old Men” and was completely let down by the denouement (thats fancy theatre major talk for final resolution). “There Will Be Blood”, however, transported me so deeply into a crazy, traumatic, depressing place that it took me quite awhile to return to my own crazy, traumatic, depressing life when it was over. That, my darlings, is a best picture!

The actor categories are pretty much set. Daniel Day-Lewis and Javier Bardem won the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards for best actor and best supporting actor, respectively. It would be a huge shock if they did not take home the Oscar as well.

I wish the best actress category was different. Julie Christie took the GG and SAG awards for her role in “Away From Her” but I can’t fathom why. She is barely even in the movie. Yes, we are all touched that her character had Alzheimers but her portrayel wasn’t moving. It was the situation that was moving. Cate Blanchett or Laura Linney should win. The best supporting actress category is totally up in the air. Cate Blanchett won the GG and Ruby dee won the SAG award. Amy Ryan is getting a lot of buzz for her role in “Gone Baby Gone” as is the little Saoirse Ronan for “Atonement”. I’m not a big supporter of children getting Academy Awards, it seems to send them down the wrong path, but Ronan was incredible.

I predict Paul Thomas Anderson will win best director and I believe he deserves it. Like I mentioned earlier, I would like to see “Juno” win best original screenplay although I also think “Lars and the Real Girl” derserves it. This movie is the most overlooked, in my opinion. What a great film. The writing is beautiful and the performances are captivating. Ryan Gosling should have gotten a nomination for his loveable yet frustrating character. Johnny Depp should NOT have gotten a nomination for “Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

Adapted screenplay could go many ways. Again the top runners are “No Country for Old Men” and “There Will Be Blood” but if the votes are split, “Atonement” could take it. I hope that “Transformers” wins for visual effects and “The Bourne Ultimatum” for editing. I also hope that Colleen Atwood takes home the best costume Oscar for “Sweeney Todd”…only because of her cool last name (no relation).

No matter who wins, I am prepared for a great show. Jon Stewart is hosting and that makes me feel confident that I will be entertained. He hosted two years ago and the critics had less than great things to say about him. I, however, enjoyed it and say to the critics, back off and let the funny man do his thing!

2008 SAG Awards: My Wrap-Up

Finally, an awards show!!!

When I realized awards season was gonna be affected by this writer’s strike I had a mild heart attack. I love turning television and movies into a competition. I spend most of my time being moved by, frustrated with, sucked into, transported to, falling in love with and hating these alternate realities that are created for us and they should be judged. I especially love to critique my fellow actors. I worked hard to get into the Screen Actors Guild (and by hard I mean spent 3 days as a body double on the series Boomtown) and I take my role as voter seriously. One year I was even on the nominating committee…it was one of the best years of my life.

Yippee kay ya, everyone got dressed up, hit the red carpet and announced the best actors without any picket line chaos. The Sopranos swept their categories: best dramatic actor, actress and ensemble. I have no opinion on this. I’ve never seen an episode. I know, I know…I’ll get it on DVD one of these days…stop yelling at me. Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin won for 30 Rock, which I strongly agree with!!! However, The Office won for comedic ensemble. I would have been happier if 30 Rock had taken ensemble but I do like The Office, so I’m okay with that. Javier Bardem won for his role as the creepy, psychopathic killer in No Country for Old Men, which also won for best cast in a movie. A full list of winners is here.

The highlight of the evening for me was Daniel Day-Lewis’ acceptance speech. He said, for as long as he could remember, the thing that gave him a sense of wonderment and renewal was the work of other actors. Those words spoke to my heart. DDL mentioned, for him in particular, being affected and motivated by the work of Heath Ledger, even bringing up specific examples of Heath’s onscreen moments that touched him. I can’t imagine a greater tribute than that. It’s a shame Heath didn’t get to hear it.

Let’s all cross our fingers for a kick-ass Oscar telecast!